Wales YFC News

Wales YFC we will hold their annual Conference and Agri Awards at Rosedew Farm, Llantwit Major on Saturday the 11^th of January 2025. They have an exciting line up of speakers that will give their insights on the topic of ‘Chancing on Success’. Jeff Evans a board member for CCF will chair the Conference and the 5 speakers that they have lined up this year are Nina Pritchard the Director of European Markets Sustainability for McDonald’s, Neil Burchell a Mentor for  Welsh Government  with the Food & Drink Wales Trade Development Programme, Emily Davies the Managing Editor for Just Farmers, Rhodri Davies from Rosedew Farm, and Lauren Evans, the Managing Director of Fablas Ice Cream.

The conference will then break for lunch where members and supporters will enjoy a complimentary hog roast from the Spitting Pig Company.

During the afternoon the attendees will be split into 4 breakout sessions which will be presented by the Spitting Pig Company, which will give an insight into their full-service event catering company specialising in outdoor cooking. The second break out session will be led by Dawie Beyers, Farmers Pantry’s Operational Manager and he will give members an insightful look at what makes Farmers Pantry a leader in local, sustainable food production. Food and Drink Wales will be leading the third break out session on the topic ‘Building a brand from scratch with some thoughts and ideas about starting up in the food and drink sector’. The fourth and final break out session will be led by Kirsty Tamilia a Calf & Youngstock Specialist at CCF.

Following the breakout sessions Rural Advisor will launch the 2025 Rural Business Innovation Competition where members get the chance to win £1000 worth of business support and advice.

To close the conference, farmer and social media star Ioan Humphreys @that_welsh_farmer will speak about his passion for farming, how he started his channel and how he uses his platform to encourage awareness around mental health in Agriculture. Emphasising why farm safety matters: protecting lives, livelihoods, and ensuring long-term success. He will have a large emphasis on mental health, wellbeing and physical fitness in preparing us for the challenges on farm.

There’s still time to join us for the 2025 Agri Conference. Tickets for the event are free of charge. To purchase your tickets head to the Wales YFC online shop or click on the button below.

The conference will be followed by our second ever Agri Awards Evening where members have been nominated for 6 awards which are:

Stock Producer of the Year kindly sponsored by Kepak

Best Diversification Award kindly sponsored by Mentera

Rural Champion Award kindly sponsored by CCF

Best Grassland Management Award kindly sponsored by Germinal

Sustainable Dairy Stockperson Award kindly sponsored by Leprino Foods

Mental Health Champion kindly sponsored by Samaritans and The DPJ Foundation

Congratulations to our thirteen finalists, Ryan Jones from Brecknock YFC, Gwern Thomas, Emily Williams and Trisant YFC from Ceredigion YFC, Ethan Williams and James Anstey from Glamorgan YFC, Frances Evans and Iwan Owen from Carmarthenshire YFC, Daniel Williams from Ynys Môn YFC, Sian Lewis and Elin Lewis from Montgomery YFC, Ella Harris from Radnor YFC and William Meadmore from Gwent YFC. Wales YFC would like to wish good luck to all the finalists.

Not able to attend the Agri Awards? Don’t panic you can still support by taking part in our online raffle. Wales YFC have been extremely lucky to receive 19 amazing prizes from businesses and organisations. The raffle will be drawn at the Agri Awards Saturday 11th January. All the money raised will be split between this years chosen charity British Heart Foundation and Wales YFC. Tickets can be purchased online 👉🏼 Raffle – Cynhadledd Amaeth CFFI Cymru – Wales YFC AGRI Conference

On Sunday 12^th January 2025 to end the weekend, members will attend a farm tour of Pancross Farm in Glamorgan.

The Wales YFC Rural Affairs Committee are extremely grateful for every sponsor that helps make the conference possible especially the support received by CCF Farm & Country and the NFU Mutual Charitable Trust.